What is the 17th Amendment?, you ask:
How were the Senators elected before the 17th?:The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.
When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.
This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.
The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, (chosen by the Legislature thereof,) (The preceding words in parentheses superseded by 17th Amendment, section 1.) for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.
Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year...
This is one of the underlying issues that is bringing this country down.
The way I see it; most of our problems come from the federal government's lust for more control of the American people. At the forefront of this is the weakening of the state governments. The way I understand it is; the original Constitution was written to ensure a balance of powers. The executive branch is to represent the Government. The House is to represent the people. The Senate is to represent the states.
Since the passage of the 17th the states are no longer being represented in Washington. The federal government pretends to care about what the state governments are saying, but there is nothing in place to ensure the states are being taken seriously.
No I am not crazy. I know this will never pass this congress. If it did, it would surely be vetoed. I am not concerned with this or any of my Just My Opinion posts getting passed. After all they are just my opinion, and you know about those. I think it does need to be brought up front, and kept there. One of these days the democrats are not going to control Congress. One of these days they will not have the executive. As it takes years for an issue to ferment, I think we need to start this process now.
REPEAL THE 17th AMENDMENT